Let’s be perfectly honest. Most doctors have a difficult time with chronic pain patients. One physician described it to us many years ago: “When I see a patient suffering severe chronic pain come in the front door I want to go out the back door.” That’s because there are few good options. Drugs like hydrocodone or oxycodone used to be prescribed in huge quantities. Now gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are on the ascendency and opioids are shunned.

The Opioid Epidemic:

Doctors are dismayed by the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation. Over the last year, the drumbeat of headlines about opioid overdoses and deaths has scared a lot of physicians into cutting back on prescribing drugs like hydrocodone or oxycodone.

Many of the overdose deaths are caused by illicit fentanyl. People OD because they have no idea how potent the narcotics are that they are snorting, swallowing or injecting. According to the CDC (Nov. 3, 2017):

“Preliminary estimates of U.S. drug overdose deaths exceeded 60,000 in 2016 and were partially driven by a fivefold increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone), from 3,105 in 2013 to approximately 20,000 in 2016. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50–100 times more potent than morphine, is primarily responsible for this rapid increase. In addition, fentanyl analogs such as acetylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, and carfentanil are being detected increasingly in overdose deaths and the illicit opioid drug supply.”

Fentanyl powder does not come from your local pharmacy. Most of it is illicit and is coming from foreign countries (CBS news; New York Times, Aug. 10, 2017). China and Mexico are major sources of illegal fentanyl. It is being added to heroin or even counterfeit opioid pills that look like Percocet (CNN June 8, 2017) or Oxycontin. The government does not seem to know how to stem the flow of illicit fentanyl that is flooding the country.

Doctors and Opioids:

It is hardly any wonder that doctors have cut back on prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone. Like the rest of us, they read horrifying reports about opioid deaths. The evening news often leads with graphic accounts of accidental overdoses. Federal guidelines and restrictions have made it harder for physicians to prescribe opioids.

Gabapentinoids: What Are They?

As a result of the negative publicity and constraints on opioids, many people who are in severe pain have been left without relief. Consequently, physicians are searching for other drugs they can prescribe instead of narcotics. They may turn to gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin).

Gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are both used to treat nerve pain. Doctors prescribed these medications three times more often in 2015 than they did in 2002, despite no radical change in the number of patients with neuropathic pain (JAMA Internal Medicine, online Jan. 2, 2018).

The author advises his colleagues to use these drugs cautiously:

“The combination of a dearth of long-term safety data, small effect sizes, concern for increased risk of overdose in combination with opioid use, and high rates of off-label prescribing, which are associated with high rates of adverse effects, raises concern about the levels of gabapentinoid use. While individual clinical scenarios can be challenging, caution should be advised in the use of gabapentinoids, particularly for those individuals who are longterm opioid users, given the lack of proven long-term efficacy and the known and unknown risks of gabapentinoid use.”

The authors note that guidelines from the CDC recommend acetaminophen and NSAIDs as first line options for osteoarthritis and low back pain. The physicians point out that “acetaminophen is often ineffective, and NSAIDs are associated with adverse effects that limit their use…”

They go on to say:

“The CDC guidelines also recommend gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) as first-line agents for neuropathic pain. We believe, however, that gabapentinoids are being prescribed excessively — partly in response to the opioid epidemic”

They conclude:

“Patients who are in pain deserve empathy, understanding, time, and attention. We believe some of them may benefit from a therapeutic trial of gabapentin or pregabalin for off-label indications, and we support robust efforts to limit opioid prescribing. Nevertheless, clinicians shouldn’t assume that gabapentinoids are an effective approach for most pain syndromes or a routinely appropriate substitute for opioids.”

Gabapentin Side Effects:

The history of gabapentin (Neurontin) is fascinating. It was originally approved by the FDA for treating epilepsy in 1993. There is a tale of woe and intrigue about how the company that marketed Neurontin got into trouble with the FDA for illegal off-label marketing practices. We won’t go into that here, but you can read all about it in this article:

Gabapentin has become a go-to drug for doctors who are trying to control chronic pain problems. At last count, dispensed prescriptions have gone from 39 million in 2012 to 51 million in 2014 to 64 million in 2016 (Quintiles IMS, May, 2017, now IQVIA Institute).

“Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including gabapentin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.”

Pregabalin (Lyrica) is Also a Gabapentinoid:

If you watch television you have probably seen a commercial for Lyrica. There are so many we have lost count. Here are just a few:

Tramadol: Another Option?

The other popular substitute for opioid pain relievers is tramadol. It was initially presented to doctors as a non-narcotic all-purpose pain reliever. But this medication can cause quite serious side effects and has potentially deadly interactions. Not only that, but it can trigger nasty symptoms if people stop taking it abruptly.

Tramadol Side Effects

What are tramadol’s side effects? Many people experience vertigo, unsteadiness, dizziness or trouble with coordination. Itching, dry mouth, digestive upset and headache are also common. Tramadol can also cause seizures, life-threatening allergic reactions, serious skin reactions and serotonin syndrome.

Are NSAIDs a Good Alternative for Chronic Pain?

While many patients can benefit from tramadol or one of the gabapentinoids, experts suspect that the push to move away from narcotics is leading doctors to overprescribe these alternatives. Unfortunately, there aren’t many other drug options for managing severe, chronic pain.

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam or naproxen are not that effective against chronic pain. They also carry a number of serious side effects including bleeding ulcers, irregular heart rhythms, heart attacks and strokes.

What Is Left?

Some pain patients tell us that the only way they can function is with an opioid such as hydrocodone. But scary headlines and regulations have made it very difficult for health professionals to prescribe such medicines. If there is one message to researchers, drug companies, the FDA and clinicians it is that we desperately need better and safer alternatives for controlling severe, chronic pain.

What Is Your Experience?

Please share your experience with gabapentin, pregabalin (Lyrica), tramadol and NSAIDs in the comment section below. There are hundreds of stories from other readers at these links:

Looking for other options?

You may find our one-hour interview with patient Mark Owens and Dr. David Hanscom of interest. He is a back surgeon who does his best to avoid surgery when possible. He offers some interesting alternatives for chronic pain. You can listen to our one-hour interview for free. Just click on the green arrow above his photograph or download the free mp3 file. It says the regular price is $9.99 but if you look to the right of the Choose CD or MP3 version and click on the arrow you can select a free mp3 download instead of the CD. Here is a link to the show:

30 Thoughts Shared

Dianne

Hilton Head, SC

July 25, 2018 at 8:40 pm

It is obvious that side effects for some people from gabapentin and lyrica can be nasty. In 2017 I had a spinal fusion that left me with servere nerve pain. Burning sensations going down my thighs were unbearable. My doctor prescribed lyrica. For 3 weeks I was pain free, but then my feet swelled and my mouth was so dry that I could hardly speak.

So of course I was taken off Lyrica, but then suffered for 8 months with nerve pain. Unfortunately this surgery had a failed outcome. In May of this year I hade a large revision surgery. Again, I experienced awlful burning nerve pain. This time I was put on gabapentin. Within 2 months I experienced severe itching. So I tapered off gabapentin.

Fortunately, the nerve pain is not as severve as it was initally and I can cope without gabapentin. It is really infortunate that there are not medications that will relieve pain without causing serious side effects.

Marina

CO

June 11, 2018 at 1:40 am

I am in my 60’s; worked 47 yrs and finally went out on disability. Bad knees, back, arthritis in base of spine and base of neck, migraines, diabetic neuropathy. Now they want to take away my vicodin. I take 1-2 per day, the 5/325 combo, well within good guidelines, I have no side effects and tolerate it well. Doc wants to follow new guidelines and put me on gabapentin or lyrica instead. I have permanent muscle spasms /pain from taking statins for many yrs. I worked in pharmacy many yrs and am leery of taking many meds. I am terrified of taking gaba or lyrica since I already suffer from chronic depression.

Doc gets angry with me for not doing what he says, not taking into account my apprehension about these mind-altering drugs. I did horribly on serotonin re-up type drugs, horrible side effects. So, he will take away my vicodin, and I refuse to take the other meds. It depresses me so much that I am a responsible drug user with my meds, and they will take them away. I am scared and sad.

C.

USA

March 28, 2018 at 12:09 pm

Gabapentin (Neurontin) should be illegal. There may be many people that haven’t had a bad side effect from the drug but I am not one of them. I was only taking 300 mg as prescribed by a neurologist for migraine headaches (an off-label use).

After several months of noticing no relief from the pain, I asked to come off the drug. You have to come off of the drug slowly. I did as I was instructed. However, by week 2 of weaning off I was feeling anxious, shaky, and didn’t feel right physically. I let the nurse practitioner know how I was feeling during my visit to the neurologist’s office. She said I would probably feel worse before I felt better. Well, that was an understatement!

Once I was off the drug I had an episode of hallucinations and paranoia. I had never experienced this before and hope never to experience something like that ever again. It was horrendous! Don’t take this drug! If you are on it and want to stop taking it, it may be a good idea to go to a detox center to be properly evaluated.

Bobbi

NC

February 27, 2018 at 2:28 pm

I have been taking Gabapentin for close to 10 years now. I absolutely would not function without it. I have bilateral trigeminal neuralgia. I have taken Tegretol, Trileptal, Lyrica, and Topamax, all with significant side effects. Gabapentin is the only one that works and that I tolerate well. Opioids absolutely do not touch the pain in my face. They were prescribed to me before I was diagnosed with TN because my doctor thought I had migraines.

While I realize that this drug cannot be used by all (like many drugs out there), some of us depend on gabapentin to lead a somewhat normal life. These laws do not make it more difficult for addicts to get their hands on it; they only make it more difficult to obtain them legally for whatever illness the doctors have prescribed.

Johnnye

Sequim, WA

January 17, 2018 at 3:25 am

I’ve been taking Gabapentin for 5 years for Neuropathy in my legs and feet. I’ve had excellent results. My only problem is that it interferes with my orgasm’s. My doctor and pharmacist suggested I stop it 2 days before sexual activity, then resume. Problem solved!! I have trouble sleeping the 2 days I’m off it, due to leg pain. But it’s worth it!

Kristin

AZ

January 17, 2018 at 12:47 am

What this article does not emphasize is that most pain killers work for common pain such as muscle over-use, broken bones, head aches, injuries, etc. NERVE PAIN DOES NOT RESPOND TO MOST PAIN KILLERS. Apparently, there is a major difference between nerves carrying the message of pain in other areas to the brain, and the nerves themselves having pain (ie. if there is pressure on a nerve itself). Gabapentin, etc. should be used to reduce only NERVE pain, because it usually does not help with non-nerve pain. I have had sciatica because of spinal stenosis for over a decade. It is caused by pressure on a nerve in my spine. My sciatica has never been eased by any NSAIDS, or even opiods. But when my doctor prescribed gabapentin, I finally got some relief from my sciatica. I think it is important that gabapentin be prescribed for NERVE pain, and NOT for other types of pain.

Cindy

January 16, 2018 at 9:06 pm

I’ve been prescribed Gabapentin 600 mg daily for nerve pain in my lower legs. I have been taking it for 3 years. I have worse depression, severe blurred vision, dizziness, muscle twitching, sudden sweating. I’ve talked to my doctor about this and he didn’t seem to be very concerned. But I’m slowly taking myself off of this and other prescriptions. For I’m into taking natural herbs for pain.and melatonin to help me sleep. Be your own advocate!

Tonya

Oklahoma

January 16, 2018 at 11:40 am

It is sad that the govt and doctors believe that people in chronic pain are “snorting and shooting” up pain meds and “don’t realize how potent” that medication is. The addicts are doing that, not those in chronic pain who take the meds responsibly.
If they ban the very meds that give chronic pain people the ability to be productive in society, they will see an uptick in disabilities, fewer workers, and less economic growth because those in pain will not even be able to function. All the while, the addicts will still get their drugs, get more drugs like heroin when they can’t get their pills, etc.

They took away pain control from family doctors, those who actually know their patients more than anyone.
I have a young person’s osteoporosis. I have literally fractured my back twice and gotten spondylolithiasis just from sneezing. My surgeon placed a pedicle screw into a back bone, and it literally crumbled in his hands. Yet, I have to fight for low dose lortab, get snide remarks from pharmacists, and argue with my insurance company. All the while I have had THREE EMERGENCY back surgeries, two hardware revisions on my lower back (bone can barely hold the hardware. Yet I have to fight for pain meds after they opened up the side of my chest, went through my ribs, and repaired my thoracic and upper lumbar spine. Apparently that makes me a drug addict. Had to argue with a pharmacists 2 weeks after that huge surgery. All the while, pain management clinics hand out percocet, soma, oxycondone ER, morphone, fentanyl, and more without question.

Addicts will always get their drugs while those of us in true need have to fight just to live a better quality of life. Those of us in true chronic pain would rather die than live in pain. And we have better morals than to buy off the street. Something is twisted in this picture. How about they go after the real addicts, the people who get kick backs from Big Pharma.

susan

Indiana

January 16, 2018 at 11:33 am

As a healthcare provider, I feel the need to comment regarding chronic pain management as it also pertains to kidney function, use of other medications (such as anticoagulants), other health problems (such as hypertension), and the concomitant use of NSAIDS. Medications such as NSAIDS are wonderful but cannot be used by everyone. Gabapentenoids are also renally dosed and cannot be used by everyone. Chronic pain management is a challenge and requires careful/critical assessment of multiple risk factors, other meds, etc. Exercise and diet (low carb/low sugar- both known to increase inflammation) are great, non-pharmacologic options that should always be part of a chronic pain management program. Careful consultation with your MD/DO/NP/PA is a must.

Helen

CA

January 16, 2018 at 11:32 am

The media is creating hysteria about opioids. There are those of us who can handle a low dose, 5-325, to get thru the worst bouts of pain and do not get addicted. I don’t tolerate painkillers well and take few. We don’t have the gene that’s causing addiction in some people. We are not going to use Fentanyl or Heroin and we are not doctor-shopping or pharmacy-shopping. I have a problem at every level in my spine, from L1 down to my tailbone and a few in the thoracic area. I am more concerned with the twice a year epidurals than I am with a few pills. Most doctors know a regular patient well enough to figure out who is going to overuse and who is not. They can avoid prescribing for the occasional patient who pops in just for pain pills. It is not the problem the media is portraying. It is the Fentanyl and Heroin users who are dying.

Robyn

Glen Gardner New Jersey

January 16, 2018 at 11:27 am

I’ve had 10 surgeries in the past 10 years, back, neck and leg and going for number 11 on January 15. I’ve had Tramadol in the past, and it only helps with a low pain level. After spinal surgery when the pain is intense, only hydrocodone dulls the pain to a point where I can deal with it. Without adequate pain control, I can’t take care of the house. Why should my husband come home from work and do laundry? Granted, a week home after surgery, I can’t do it, but 2&3 weeks post op, I should be able to do things in the house, even tho the pain is still at a high level. I’m 56 years old, not looking to get high, just would like to be as close to pain free as possible.

Robyn

January 16, 2018 at 11:30 am

Stephanie

MO

January 16, 2018 at 11:26 am

100 to 200 mg of Gabapentin each night helps me sleep without back pain waking me up. 300 mg gave me side effects so my new doctor recommended starting with 100 mg. I am so glad, since it does the trick most of the time! My spine has problems at several levels. I had two surgeries for cervical stenosis. The stenosis made me almost lose left arm function, according to a surgeon. I do cardio and strength exercises as well as stretching. In the daytime I take an Aleve and use topical Voltaren when needed.

Brooke

January 16, 2018 at 10:16 am

I took it briefly(6wks) for nerve pain as a result of total hip replacement surgery. It did nothing for the pain. It did, however, give me bouts of the chills that were the worst. I tapered off and never looked back. I have since read all this off label use is the result of Pfizer looking for their next cash cow. Drug companies need heavy regulation.

Sonny

Texas

January 16, 2018 at 10:16 am

Fell on my back, causing severe lower back pain. Have been on Gabapentin for almost a month.
One dose every 8 hrs. Have not noticed any side effects. Believe the drug is effective for me. Will move off of it slowly as the prescription comes to an end.

Diane

January 16, 2018 at 9:11 am

After being diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, 3 bulging disks, 1 herniated disk in L1, L2, L3, and L4, I was at a loss to stop the pain and numbness in legs. I was given Gabapentin and took for 3 weeks. It heightened my pain and I got pains also across my back. I also got dizzy and could only take it at night. I gained 10 pounds. But the depression was the worst thing.

Going off of it changed me back to my old self. My spine Dr. gave me bilateral epidurals which helped some and I started warm water therapy with PT. After 4 sessions, I learned the exercises and after 3 months of daily workouts in the pool, I am walking like a normal person without pain. I walked like a gorilla at first, then with a cane, then with just a limp, and finally upright without pain.

The daily exercise did the trick and when I went to spine Dr. he asked if I needed more epidurals and I said no. He was very surprised. He said my spine was like a rusty door and if I didn’t open it everyday, it would remain closed without surgery. I opted for the exercise – it worked for me,

Tonya

Oklahoma

January 16, 2018 at 11:43 am

Marilyn Camden

Rockledge, Florida

January 16, 2018 at 8:20 am

I’ve been taking Gabapentin for 7 mos. for neuropathy pain in my legs. It relieves the pain that Tylenol or Advil will not. I haven’t had any of the symptoms you mentioned. We patients are trapped in a situation that doesn’t allow us to take anything that relieves pain that destroys our lives. Someone needs to come up with some options.

Jane

Apex, NC

January 16, 2018 at 7:17 am

For several years I took Limbrel 500 for arthritis in my right hip. It was effective and marketed as a medical food product with few side effects. After having a total hip replacement I began having pain in my left hip and started taking Limbrel 500 again. However, in December 2017 a doctor friend informed me about an FDA alert that Limbrel causes life threatening health problems. So I have stopped taking it. Do you have any more information in Limbrel?

Jack S.

Marietta, GA

January 16, 2018 at 7:09 am

I have been on opioids for over 15 years. I have overdosed two times on different drugs, not by over-taking but by taking the amount prescribed by my doctor.

I still take hydrocodone as needed, and only as needed, to get past severe nerve spasms. I have had 5 fusion surgeries and am currently fused from L2-S1. I can no longer reach my feet to do my toenails. Many days I have difficulty even putting on my socks and pants.

My initial surgery followed less than a year after a severe auto accident where I hydroplaned doing 70 mph and hit the median almost head on. I had had difficulty with arthritis in my L4-L5 area. This accident just exacerbated this surgery. However, the surgeon impinged several nerves during the first surgery, and two additional surgeries followed in less than a year.

I have to have my lower spine injected by a pain specialist almost every 90 days. These injections provide limited and short term relief.

I would never recommend anyone having fusion surgery unless their condition worsened to the point that they can hardly sit, stand or lie down without severe pain. I try to avoid taking my pain meds unless I feel I must have some relief.
Many thanks for such informative articles.

Sharon

Australia

January 16, 2018 at 5:24 am

Following a car accident I suffered whiplash resulting in nerve pain and severe headaches. Prescribed 300mg per day gabapentin. Had some impact on pain but not totally. Dr tried to get me to increase to 900mg but I declined due to side effects of dizziness and fogginess. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements).

2.5 years later, pain has improved and I decided to quit the meds. I’ve tapered off the gabapentin over 3 weeks. I’m suffering severe insomnia, palpitations and depression. The insomnia is so bad, I’m thinking of starting the Gabapentin again though I don’t want to as I don’t want to be on it the rest of my life just to avoid withdrawal. I cannot find any info about how long these withdrawal symptoms may last or how to deal with them

Shirley

Palm Beach Gardens Florida

January 16, 2018 at 9:48 am

Sharon: I admire you very much for wanting to be drug free and toughing it out during a difficult withdrawal which is very uncomfortable. You must be an unusually strong person. Many people would just stay on the drug despite side effects and harmful long term effects. My husband takes neurontin for diabetic nerve pain in his legs. I’ve been on the American Diabetes Association website. They have chat rooms where patients share experiences. Many had a tough time getting off neurontin because of lengthy uncomfortable withdrawal. But those that did succeed were very glad they stuck with it. I would think it may take six weeks to three months based on what I’ve read, but WELL worth it to get the addiction monkey off your back.

Becky

Maryland

January 19, 2018 at 11:48 am

Sharon try googling gabapentin withdrawal. You might also find some information on websites like http://www.survivingantidepressants.com. Yes I know gabapentin is not an antidepressant but it is prescribed as a mood stabilizer which is why you’ll find it on that website. Also my favorite website to look up drugs is RxIsk.org. You are tapering off gabapentin way too fast. If you continue at such a fast taper, you might end up with permanent burning pain. And reinstating the taper does not make the burning pain go away. Yes I know it treats burning pain and it’s quite ironic that you can end up with very condition it purports to treat. There’s a story on the RxIsk website from a patient who was tapered rapidly off of gabapentin called “girl on a hot tin roof”. People typically take months or years to come off a drug such as gabapentin. You can also try googling gabapentin taper protocol.

Ilene

Bucks County Pa

January 15, 2018 at 11:23 pm

On May 16,2017 at work they thought I was having a mini stroke at the age of 52. I had many tests and similar episodes for months. Was undiagnosed until September 27. In that time I saw many Drs including 4 neurologists. I was given Gabapentin, Tramodole and many other meds even when undiagnosed. I was a walking zombie and could not work, function, drive or think. I was finally diagnosed as having complex Migraines caused by issues with my C1, C5 & C6. I’m still on a few meds since I still have slight migraines but can function, work and drive again. There are days at work I struggle but I have to work, and when I come home I’m worn out.

Dave

Louisiana

January 15, 2018 at 9:44 pm

I’m not familiar with the literature, if there is a literature, but it’s odd that you don’t at least mention cannabinoids. Lots of people swear by one or another of them, of course, but that doesn’t mean it’s proven effective. It may be safer than any of the drugs you cover in this article. Lots of companies, many of them not very ethical, are hawking hemp-derived CBD, and I gather it has it’s band of enthusiasts.

Samantha

Nashville, TN

January 15, 2018 at 9:24 pm

This makes me so angry it feels like my blood is boiling. I have been on gabapentin for 10 years, and I have tried to titrate off of it at least 4 times. Each time, the pain became too much to bear even at half my normal dose. I’m also on an opioid that I take to feel as comfortable as possible to get through my day – not to get high. I’m ALSO on Celebrex that I take for arthritis in my back, and when I’ve had to stop taking it for one of many surgeries/procedures (because it’s a blood thinner) I’m in more pain than I can stand. So I know these things are working for me at least some. Without any of them, I couldn’t work, couldn’t get around, couldn’t have a life. But people like me aren’t being considered when these “studies” and “articles” are written about the abusers. I understand there are abusers of these medications; I have a recovering one in my family. But as laws are put in place that make these drugs unattainable for those who don’t need them and subsequently those who do, prepare yourselves for an increase in suicides. Because when you’ve been injured for 10 years, had multiple surgeries, 3 spinal decompressions, 2 ablations, facet injections, numerous epidural steroid injections, numerous trigger point injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, and everything else your doctor can think of to no avail, what else is there? I’ll tell you. There’s opioids and a semi-normal appearing life, or there’s no life.

JW

Alabama

January 15, 2018 at 8:12 pm

Kathleen

NC

January 15, 2018 at 7:01 pm

I addressed my chronic pain (degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis) with physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, and massage. Occasionally I use Advil — not every day. It works for me. Most days I am pain free. Limiting inflammatory foods in my diet as much as I can helps too.

Tonya

Oklahoma

January 16, 2018 at 11:45 am

Have your doc help you. There are meds that curb the withdrawals. As a chronic pain person, I have weaned off some big drugs successfully when the pain settled down. You don’t need to suffer withdrawals. Some sypmtoms of withdrawals are actually deadly.

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About the Author

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.” Read Joe's Full Bio.